Georgia warns citizens in Italy as country faces worst outbreak of coronavirus in Europe

Georgia has warned its citizens in Italy, especially those in Lombardy, Veneto, Piedmont, Emilia Romagna and the Lazio regions, to avoid public areas and observe hygienic practices as Italy faces the worst outbreak of coronavirus - Covid-19 in Europe, with at least three people dead and more than 150 infected.

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The ministry urges Georgian citizens in Italy to stick to the recommendations of the Italian government and to remain informed regarding the coronavirus via governmental webpages: http://www.salute.gov.it/nuovocoronavirus and http://www.protezionecivile.gov.it/home

In the regions of Lombardy and Veneto, a lock-down is in place in several small towns.

For the next two weeks, 50,000 residents will not be able to leave without special permission, BBC reports.

Officials have yet to find the first carrier of the virus in the country.

The virus, which emerged in China at the end of 2019, has spread to at least 29 countries.

It has killed more than 2,500 people in mainland China, with more than 77,000 infected.

Iran has also confirmed 43 cases of the virus and eight deaths. Georgia suspended direct flights with the country yesterday.